Despite publishing the government’s plans for leaving the EU, David Davis failed to placate Conservative rebels concerned about the status of European Union migrants and other Brexit details.
The Brexit secretary presented further details on the government’s approach to parliament and stipulated that there will have to be clear-cut legislation to specify the UK’s immigration and customs policy after the separation is complete.
After the white paper said it had “not proven possible” to reach agreement on future rights with the EU, there was no advancement on the future legal status of EU nationals living in the UK or British expats abroad. While some members of parliament welcomed the consolation within the document, several said they remained concerned about the future for EU citizens living in the UK and wondered what would happen at the end of the two year negotiation period.